These DIY Christmas magnets are SO easy to make and are a perfect gift idea! Use your own cards or the free printable included.
Skills Required: None. Even if you’ve never Mod Podged before, you will be successful with this project. The pieces are small enough that it isn’t hard to remove wrinkles.
Hi everybody! It’s Ashlee from My So Called Crafty Life, and today I am back to share a fun and ridiculously easy holiday DIY with you! Christmas is my favorite holiday and my favorite time of year! I can’t get enough!
One of my favorite things to collect is vintage Christmas cards. I use them all the time for holiday crafting, either by using the cards themselves or scanning them and using the prints.
I have been wanting to make some Christmas magnets for the fridge, so when I saw these little wood slices at Michaels, I knew they would be perfect for the job.
This is a great Christmas craft for adults, but it’s also a great introduction to Mod Podge for the littles as well. Older children love to make these for gifts for friends or teachers. If you’re looking for easy Christmas crafts for kids, this is a great one!
Learn how to make this wood Christmas craft using the tutorial (and get the free Christmas printable) below.
DIY Christmas Magnets
Gather These Supplies
- Christmas card printable or your own holiday cards
- Small Wood Slices
- Mod Podge (Matte or Gloss)
- Mod Podge Sparkle
- Paintbrush
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Strong Magnets
- Glue (I used a quick grab ceramics glue, but E-6000 would work well too)
Free Printable (click the image to get it):
Instructions:
The first thing you need to do to make your Christmas magnets is select your images. Either print out the printable that I have included or gather your own holiday images.
Tip: Either print laserjet, or spray seal both sides of the inkjet jet print out with clear sealer or hairspray. This prevents bleeding of the inkjet.
The squares in my printable are 2.5″ which will fit most wood slices. They come in different sizes.
If you want a particular size to fit the wood slices you have, then measure the wood and adjust the size of your print accordingly. Please note that I used cardstock to print, regular printer paper is a little too thin and wrinkles easier.
Now lay the wood slices on top of the printed squares on your printable and get them where you like them. Then trace around the wood slices on the paper with your pencil.
Remove the wood slices and then cut out your circular shapes. Cut inside the pencil line by about 1/16 to 1/8th of an inch so you will see just a little of the wood on the front.
Now you are ready to decoupage. Paint a thin layer of regular Mod Podge (matte or gloss,) onto the backside of your paper circle.
Then lay the paper face up onto the front of the wood slice and smooth out the paper getting out any air bubbles or excess medium.
You can use a brayer if you like for added smoothness. If you don’t have one, don’t sweat it, your fingers work just fine.
To seal the pictures and add a little holiday glitz to your Christmas card magnets, paint a layer or two of Sparkle Mod Podge on the top of each of your decoupaged wood slices. Set them aside and let them dry thoroughly.
Once your wood slices are nice and dry, you are ready to finish them off by adding the magnets. Place a small dab of strong glue onto the backside of a magnet. Then lay that magnet, glue side down onto the center back of your wood slice.
Do the same with your other magnets. Let the glue dry and cure according to the package directions before you use the magnets.
I absolutely love my little Christmas magnets! They look awesome on my fridge and add a little extra cheer to my kitchen.
What I love so much about this particular DIY is that it is so darn easy, and these are fast to whip up too! Perfect for handmade decorating for the holidays.
These Christmas magnets would be a great project to do with your kids or your craft club while on break. You can make a whole bunch of them in well under an hour.
I hope you will add this to your holiday crafty bucket list this year! I think you will love them too!
Christmas Magnets
Learn how to make DIY Christmas magnets with wood slices. Perfect for stocking stuffers or hostess gifts.
Materials
- Christmas card printable or your own holiday cards
- Small wood slices
- Mod Podge Gloss
- Mod Podge Sparkle
- Strong magnets
- E-6000
Tools
- Paint brush
- Pencil
- Scissors
Instructions
- Print out images or gather cards for cutting out.
- Now lay the wood slices on top of your designs. Then trace around the wood slices on the paper with your pencil.
- Cut out the shapes. Cut inside the pencil line by about 1/16 to 1/8th of an inch so you will see just a little of the wood on the front.
- Paint a thin layer of Mod Podge onto the backside of a paper circle. Lay the paper face up onto the front of the wood slice and smooth, getting out any air bubbles or excess medium. Let dry and repeat.
- Paint a layer or two of Sparkle Mod Podge on the top of each of your decoupaged wood slices. Set them aside and let them dry thoroughly.
- Place a small dab of strong glue onto the backside of a magnet. Then lay that magnet, glue side down onto the center back of your wood slice. Let dry completely before using.
For more holiday craft inspiration like these Christmas magnets, visit the following projects:
- Handmade Magnets in a Mason Jar
- Stenciled Wood Magnets
- Mason Jar Lid Ornaments for Your Tree
- Kids’ Christmas Photo Frame
Brenda
Tuesday 24th of January 2023
This is close to tree ornaments I made this year. I decoupaged a print onto both sides of thin wooden discs I got at Walmart. I put glitter in the wet decoupage around outside of picture. After all was dry my husband sprayed a thin coat of polyurethane to seal it. I didn't want glitter all over the place. I am pleased with them.
Amy
Tuesday 24th of January 2023
That's very cool!
Wanda Rodgers
Friday 2nd of December 2016
Amy, I love this idea and did make coasters like these. I gave them as gifts. Everyone loved them. Such a cute idea to add Christmas cards and make magnets!
Amy
Saturday 3rd of December 2016
Yay! I'm glad you had fun with them! :D
Monique
Friday 2nd of December 2016
Hi, Amy! These are so cute! I was wondering though, would the same steps apply if i were to make coasters?
Amy
Friday 2nd of December 2016
Yes Monique though I would add one more! Paint Minwax Polycrylic on top so that any moisture or heat doesn't ruin the coaster. :D
Carmen
Monday 14th of November 2016
Thanks for sharing. The instructions are very easy to follow. I have been collecting Christmas cards since I was little. Now I can put some of them to good use. :)
Linda at Mixed Kreations
Tuesday 8th of November 2016
Cute idea, and a great way to recycle Christmas cards! Thanks for sharing!